Phreatia minima

Phreatia minima Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 922

Type: Schlechter 19734 (holo B, lost)

Epiphytic, very small, about 1 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, c. 4-leaved. Leaves patent, linear, subobtuse, at the base a little narrowed, about 1 cm long, 0.15 cm wide near the middle. Inflorescence short, head-like, shortly pedunculate, less than half as long as the leaves. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, surpassing the flowers. Flowers minute, not resupinate, glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, about 0.05 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front dilated. Petals obliquely oblong-ligulate, obtuse, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip panduriform, as long as the sepals, at the base suborbicular, in the middle conspicuously constricted, the apical half expanded into an orbicular apiculate blade. Column short; rostellum short, bidentate; clinandrium triangular, slightly surpassing the rostellum. Anther reniform-cucullate, apiculate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe half as long; viscidium minute, orbicular. Ovary subsessile, glabrous, 0.05 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers greenish white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: March, June.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-150M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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